Upon its introduction in 2008, the Ferrari California was tasked both with increasing Ferrari’s overall sales volume and bringing new buyers to the brand. On those fronts, it has delivered: More than 8000 units of the entry-level GT have been sold, with more than 70 percent of them going to first-time Ferrari owners.

Despite its success for the company, the California has never fully been accepted by the brand’s devotees as a real Ferrari because of its relatively soft handling, well-mannered delivery of its output, and hefty curb weight. An exterior design led by Pininfarina that many interpreted as compromised (to fit the folding hardtop under the trunklid) and not sexy enough hasn’t helped, either.

The rectify a few of the issues, the California recently received a mid-cycle refresh that added a little more power and torque, increased the incline of its torque curve, and also cut a significant amount of weight through the more extensive use of aluminum throughout the body and chassis. The mid-cycle redo also brought a new Handling Speciale package that reduces body roll and transient response. We found all of this to improve the car; you can read our first-drive review here.

For those not satisified with the latest iteration, they should be aware that an all-new California (whether it will keep the name is not yet known) is around the corner, and sooner than was previously thought. Test mules for the car have been observed circulating the Fiorano test track emitting the unmistakable sound of a turbocharged V-8—YouTube user Marchettino recorded the clip embedded below. As we told you last week, Maserati is getting new Ferrari-sourced powerplants, including a new turbocharged V-8 for the next Quattroporte and GranTurismo as well as a brand-new supercharged V-6. This same turbo V-8 will power the next Ferrari California.

The next California’s design is being handled by Ferrari Centro Stile in Maranello, led by design guru Flavio Manzoni—who also is heading up the design of the successor to the Enzo. But unlike the Enzo replacement, Pininfarina is involved with the design of this car. As for the design direction for the next California, Ferrari will look to the same place as it did for the already-revealed F12berlinetta and the Enzo replacement: the past. Ferrari is harking back to its beautiful, form-follows-function GT-racing heritage for future models. Our sources on the ground in Italy assure us that the new entry-level Ferrari will be decidedly easier on the eyes than the current California.

Manzoni has reportedly drawn heavily on the iconic 1960s Ferrari 250GTO for inspiration for the new California. As with the current car, the challenge of delivering sexy looks will be in dealing with the folding hardtop and the storage thereof. All we can confirm for now is that the new car will eschew the upward sweeping haunches of the current California, that the roof will again be metal, and that the top will raise and lower quicker than before. It sounds as if Ferrari is making great efforts to deliver a cohesive look from nose to tail, rather than one that has three distinct parts—front, middle, rear—that appear forced together.

The powertrain will be hybridized, sort of. Like the Enzo replacement, the next California will get an F1–inspired KERS-like system. Output from the new turbo V-8 alone should eclipse 500 hp, but the KERS technology will help deliver more than 600 on demand. It’s not yet determined if the California will feature a manettino with an electric-only position. Although curb weight should fall below the 4123 pounds of the last California we tested, the addition of hybrid components will prevent the car from shedding considerable pounds. The trade-off, however, will be significant gains in fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and a 0-to-60 time at or below 3.5 seconds. We’ve gathered that top speed should hit 200 mph on the nose. The new car’s public debut could happen by the summer of 2013.